Dream, Believe, Achieve: Proud day for job-ready graduates

The latest cohort of graduates from the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ Dream, Believe, Achieve (DBA) Hospitality training and employment program are ready to embark on their new futures.

The 22 participants to complete the course so far this year received their graduation certificates in front of family, friends and program partners at Hutchinson Builders Centre earlier this month.

Graduate Whanita Cummings said it was a proud day, and one she didn’t think was possible.

“I can’t believe I’ve actually achieved this, I never thought I’d get a certificate, let alone a Cert III,” she said.

“The program was very supportive, even the staff at the work experience places made you feel like you were really working there and part of the team, I’d definitely recommend anyone to have a go.”

Dream, Believe, Achieve, presented by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, enables underemployed and disadvantaged participants to earn a nationally recognised Certificate III in Hospitality, including Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Gambling Services (RSG) qualifications, via in-class training modules, one-on-one mentoring and on-the-job work experience with the program’s local industry partners.

Fellow graduate Michelle Dolan has earned ongoing employment at The Ville after completing work experience there as part of DBA and said the program had helped her overcome personal mental health barriers.

“It’s been a dream of mine to work at The Ville,” she said.

“One of the biggest challenges was my anxiety in the workplace but with the help of the DBA team and my supervisors and the people at The Ville it ended up turning out fantastic.”

DBA is funded by the Queensland Government’s Department of Trade, Employment and Training as part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and delivered in partnership with hospitality training partner Allara Learning.

Allara Learning National General Manager James Richards addressed the graduating cohort and said it was just the start of even bigger things to come.

“Dream, Believe, Achieve is not just another training program, this collaboration is about a shared commitment to community and to individual empowerment, we believe in creating experiences which enrich people’s lives and DBA does just that,” he said.

“Today you are not just receiving a certificate, today is recognition of all you’ve achieved and the skills you’ve cultivated. Each of you made a choice to step forward, take on a new challenge and invest in yourselves and you’ve unlocked the potential within that you probably didn’t know existed before.”

Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling congratulated the group which ranged from 15 to 50 years of age, with each graduate also receiving a new laptop to continue their employment and training journey thanks to LiteHaus International.

“It’s incredible to see the transformation the participants experience both personally and professional throughout this program and none of it would be possible without the wonderful support of our program partners, and the amazing hospitality venues who provide on-the-job opportunities for our participants,” Fiona said.

Registrations are now open for the October intake via cowboys.com.au/DBA.